Case Studies

The Linux Foundation is committed to open source success. Whether you are looking for guidance on how to get involved in the Linux kernel community or for a neutral location to host an open source project, we can help at every step of the way.

The Linux Foundation provides all the infrastructure for Kernel.org, the home of Linux, including the maintenance of the version control system and mailing lists to drive the success of the world’s most far-reaching collaborative project.

Highlights:

Linux has provided a platform and was a catalyst for the growth of the web and virtually every emerging technology platform since (mobile, IoT, cloud, big data)

All of the 500 most powerful supercomputers run Linux

90% of the public cloud workload runs on Linux

Linux has 62% of the embedded systems market

Linux-based Android overtook Windows as the Internet’s most used operating system in early 2017

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, also created the Git version control system

Hyperledger is a global collaboration driven by more than 200 members from the finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chain, manufacturing, and technology industries. The Hyperledger community is creating modular open source components and platforms for distributed ledgers and smart contracts to allow multiple parties to securely interact with the same universal source of truth. Businesses with the most stringent blockchain requirements trust Hyperledger to build industry-standard blockchains: by business, for business.

Let’s Encrypt is a free, automated and open certificate authority, run for the public’s benefit as a 5019(c)(3) and is supported organizationally by The Linux Foundation. The objective of Let’s Encrypt is to help achieve 100% encryption of the Web. Let’s Encrypt provides free standard and wildcard domain validation (DV) certificates that enable a website to encrypt its communications via HTTPS. The Let’s Encrypt process is simplified, automated and available globally. These unique attributes make Let’s Encrypt ideal for large organizations, who need to alleviate financial burden and automate deployment at scale. Let’s Encrypt is also idea for individual users, particularly those in underserved markets, who may lack funds and technical skill to otherwise deploy HTTPS.

Automotive Grade Linux, with more than 120 members, is a cross-industry effort to develop a common platform for all software in the vehicle, from infotainment to advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving. The open platform lets automakers and suppliers decrease development times, speed innovation, and bring new features to market faster. Toyota has adopted the AGL platform their next-generation infotainment system debuting on the 2018 Toyota Camry in the U.S.

Highlights:

5 of 10 largest automakers in the world are members, including Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Mercedes

7 of 10 of the largest semiconductor companies in the world, representing 95% of the automotive market

The networking industry is at a significant turning point as network operators spanning telecommunications, cable, enterprise, cloud, and the research community work to redefine the network architecture. LF Networking provides a springboard for the development of a complete, open source networking stack, spanning from the data plane to orchestration and analytics. Together, LF Networking platforms and technology provide for the automation of the complete lifecycle of physical and virtual network functions.

Highlights:

Launched in January 2018 with ONAP, OpenDaylight, OPNFV, FD.io, SNAS, and PNDA projects

Cloud native computing uses an open source software stack to deploy applications as microservices, packaging each part into its own container, and dynamically orchestrating those containers to optimize resource utilization. Cloud native technologies enable software developers to build great products faster. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) builds sustainable ecosystems and fosters a community around a constellation of high-quality projects, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy, that orchestrate containers as part of microservices architecture.

Highlights:

The home of Kubernetes, the highest velocity cloud-related project on GitHub

More than 200 members, including enterprise software companies and all of the biggest public cloud providers

Over 500 Kubernetes Meetup groups with more than 185,000 members, plus 140 CNCF Meetups with 61,000 members

Node.js is an open source, cross-platform runtime for developing front end, server side, desktop, mobile and IoT web applications. In 2015, the Node.js community chose The Linux Foundation to provide a neutral home for the Node.js Foundation, allowing the Node.js project to continue its fast growth.

Highlights:

Over 2,000 Node.js core contributors

98% of Fortune 500 companies use Node.js

9 million Node.js instances make it the most successful JavaScript development platform for client/server applications

As an open source project, OPNFV is uniquely positioned to bring together the work of standards bodies, open source communities and commercial suppliers to deliver a de facto standard open source NFV platform for the industry. Participation is open to anyone.

Highlights:

Leveraged open source guidance to create project with key industry support

Successfully pivoted from traditional standards approach to open development

Collaborative development has helped speed innovation and troubleshooting